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Mr. Dan joined the Primavera staff in 2003 as an Assistant Teacher in the second grade classroom, and continued with the class, eventually becoming a Lead Teacher in 2005. Dan first visited Prescott just before graduating from Dickinson College in Carlise, PA in 2000 with a degree in Environmental Science. Upon graduation, he traveled west to return to Prescott, and worked seasonally as a Trail Crew Leader and Outdoor Educator throughout the West. While working as a Volunteer Coordinator for Prescott Creeks, Dan learned about and accepted the Assistant Teacher position at Primavera School, and shortly after enrolled in Prescott College to receive his Master’s Degree in Elementary Education in 2008.
Dan believes in connecting classroom work with real live experiences. With a passion for exploring and sharing adventures in the outdoors, he organized and developed curriculum for many overnight science and history based camping field trips for students and families to places such as: Catalina Island in California, Glen Canyon on the Colorado River, Wupatki and Sunset Crater National Monuments, the Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson, Kartchner Caverns, Sedona, and Grand Canyon National Park.
After nearly 2 decades of teaching grades 2-5 at Primavera, Dan became the Director of Primavera School in the summer of 2020. Primavera School continues to be Mr. Dan’s home away from home, where he grew and matured as an educator alongside the other teachers, staff, and students. Dan is a proud parent of a Primavera Penguin, and thrilled to share the ‘Primavera Difference’ with all the families that enroll their children in the engaging and dynamic programs the school offers.
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Tera started at Primavera School in 2004 in the after-school program. She quickly moved into a teaching position in Preschool. She has had the pleasure of teaching both preschool and kindergarten. Additionally, Tera has led the Preschool program and subbed in all other classrooms. She has spent most of her years teaching kindergarten. She transitioned into the position of Assistant Director in 2023.
Tera has her Associate’s, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. She is a certified teacher for children birth to 3rd grade. Her passion is natural science! Tera is a tactile and visual learner, and that is the way she teaches. She also has dyslexia, which provides her a different outlook onteaching and learning.
Tera was born and raised here in Prescott, AZ. She left for a short time to pursue her career in the military as an All-Purpose Vehicle Mechanic. After being stationed in California, Texas and Italy, Tera wanted to come home to be close to her family. Tera is a wife, mother of two daughters, teacher, photographer, artist, and the beloved caretaker of our Primavera chickens!
April has been a part of the Primavera family since 2015, when she moved back to Arizona. Both of her children attended Primavera starting in preschool. April has served on the board of directors for seven years and was the board president for two years.
April recently joined the staff in April of 2023, training to take over the office administrator position. She currently runs the penguin office fielding phone calls, invoicing for tuition and scholarships, and helps out in all school events and activities, both behind the scenes and during the event.
April is an Arizona native who moved away for school and to explore the great Midwest. She moved back here in 2015 to settle down and raise her two children. April is a talented seamstress and creative person who enjoys sharing her knowledge and creativity with the students. April is a passionate supporter of Primavera School.
Sue came to Primavera in 2015. She loves the learning environment, the supportive staff, and wonderful families. She is excited to be in the Preschool Montessori classroom with its beautiful space and outdoor creative learning model.
Sue has 20 plus years of early childhood teaching experience in the Prescott area. Her credentials include a degree in Early Childhood Education, a certificate from the National Center for Montessori Education, National Geographic Teacher Certification and several other continuing education certificates.
Her goal is to guide children and enhance their joy of learning with discoveries of the natural world. Introducing them to the wonders of letters and numbers in a self-paced, nurturing environment that fosters the child’s inner need to explore the world.
Laurie began working at Primavera in 2021 after retiring from YRMC as one of our Early Childhood Afterschool Teachers.
Laurie found Primavera through her sister, Ms. Sue. She is happy to share her time working with children after retiring from a long and successful career in healthcare.
She enjoys getting to know the children and working alongside the staff. We are thrilled to have Laurie as part of the Primavera family.
Kala came to Primavera in 2023 as a teacher’s assistant in the TK room. She is now the lead teacher in one of the preschool classrooms.
Kala is currently enrolled at Yavapai College and is working toward earning her Early Childhood Education degree. She has experience as a teacher’s assistant in the classrooms, along with working with young minds.
Kala has been inspired by Montessori and all it has to offer and has recently shifted the classroom to a Montessori environment and can not wait to bring that into the children's lives. Kala was born and raised in Prescott and loves what this charming town has to offer. She is married, loves to be out in nature, and hopes to share that love with the kids!
Domineque found Primavera while looking for a preschool for her daughter in 2023. She fell in love with the whole-child approach and the inspirational teachers and environment that Primavera offers. Although she was a parent at the time, she could see herself teaching at Primavera one day, and when there was finally an opening as a preschool teacher in 2024, she seized the opportunity to join the Primavera family.
Before her position as a preschool teacher at Primavera, Domineque taught Kindergarten in Chino Valley in a public school setting for 2 years, fifth and sixth grade at a private passion-based and sustainable school in California for 3 years, and fifth grade at a full inclusion charter school in California for 7 years. Having taught in three different settings, Domineque found her passion for teaching in a student-led environment, like Ms. Sue’s Montessori preschool classroom. She believes that good education is cultivated from student interests and passions. When students are invested in what they learn, they truly thrive. Domineque has a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and a K-6 Multiple Subject Teaching Credential in Arizona and California.
When Domineque is not teaching, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids. They love hiking, spending time outdoors, reading books together, and having dance parties. In her spare time, Domineque and her husband run a small LLC called A Poet & A Flame, in which they make candles and poetry gift sets. Domineque looks forward to becoming immersed in the Primavera way. She plans to spread her love of learning and kindness in the classroom.
Amanda has been teaching at Primavera since 2019. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Educational Studies with an emphasis in Child Psychology from Arizona State University. She began teaching in 2013.
Amanda’s biggest goal as a teacher is to let each and every student know that they are unique, lovable and capable of success. She enjoys communicating and connecting with her students on an individual and personal level to let them know they are important because of who they are, not what they can do.
Amanda’s hobbies include doing art in a multitude of mediums, kayaking and reading any good books that she can get her hands in a variety of genres. Amanda also loves all dogs and spends lots of time with her dog at home. She and her husband have been in the Prescott area for over 9 years and are both from the Phoenix area originally. She is thrilled to be a part of the Primavera family and work among other brilliant minds amidst the incredible community that is the Primavera population.
Allie started teaching at Primavera in the summer of 2024, beginning with the aftercare program for PreK. They have taught both in person and online since 2016. They taught Music at a district for 5 years and then moved up to Prescott for a change of scenery. They taught online for two years when a position opened up at Primavera! Primavera is the first time teaching elementary students, and they love having the flexibility to teach what the students need!
Allie has a bachelor's degree in secondary education, emphasizing biology. They fully believe that education takes place everywhere and that students learning organically holds more weight than lectured learning. They feel that students will let you know when they are ready for the next step. I also believe in integrating technology at the higher levels and allowing the students to feel they are in charge of their learning. They feel they should just be the facilitators for the learning naturally taking place, giving them the tools and watching and guiding them through the learning, which is more how education should be!
Allie has an adorable puppy named Maverick and lives with their sister! Getting to spend extra time with family has been great! They enjoy all kinds of things outside of teaching, Photography, Art of all kinds, Music, hiking, camping, and generally just being outdoors and enjoying nature!
Debbie started teaching at Primavera School in 2013, and she's been teaching since 1994. She has taught in both public and parochial schools, and nearly all of her experience has been in the first grade. She also has experience teaching 2nd grade, kindergarten and reading remediation. Through it all she’s learned that she loves small, community-like schools and first graders!
Debbie has her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from NAU and is a certified reading specialist. She believes education encompasses much more than academic learning. She guides students as they grow academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. She believes all students can learn and it is her privilege to help each student achieve all they can. She loves teaching, learning and the innate beauty of children.
Debbie and her husband have 3 children, who are all proud Primavera Penguins! Outside of school, she love to read, garden, craft and spend time with her family.
Kelli came to Primavera in 2020 as a co-teacher in our 1st/2nd grade classroom. She helped us launch our Transitional Kindergarten program and is now back co-teaching in the 2nd grade.
Kelli has an AA in Early Childhood Development and has over 12 years experience as a Lead Teacher in Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and 1st/2nd grade classrooms in private school settings. She loves our school community and all the opportunities to be outside and collaborate with other classrooms and teachers as we work together as a team to help make our students' learning experiences fun, enriching, and memorable.
Kelli lives with her husband and two sons, has been a part of the Prescott community since 2008, and can't imagine living elsewhere! Her favorite things are animals, crochet, ice cream, worship music, church, and working with Ms. Jenni in 2nd grade!
Miss Jenni came to work at Primavera in 2010 after graduating Summa Cum Laude from NAU. She has a bachelor of science degree in elementary education. She was a Golden Axe Award recipient! She will be teaching 2nd grade with Miss Kelli and Art!
Jenni has been teaching for 13 years. She has taught kindergarten through third grade, and she ran a 21st Century Community Center for Learning grant program for two years at Lincoln School in Prescott.
Miss Jenni lives with her husband, two daughters, and two silly pugs! Her favorite place is the forest. Her favorite foods all start with P! And she’s obsessed with iced black coffee, especially from Dutch bros. She loves to paint, hike, garden, and go to Disneyland!
Trish started working for Primavera in 2014, serving the school in many capacities since that time. After seven years working with both Pre-K and elementary students, Trish became the lead 3rd grade classroom teacher in 2020.
Trish has an Associate’s and Bachelor’s in Business and Marketing and earned a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Development and Diversity in 2019. Prior to working at Primavera, her teaching experience includes 6 years being a Teacher’s Assistant in Preschool in Oklahoma and over 10 years of experience working and teaching people with varying abilities. She has a passion for helping all children realize their potential through exploration and hands-on learning.
Trish and her husband have been a part of the Prescott community since 2011, and have enjoyed raising their four daughters, the youngest a Primavera Penguin. Outside of teaching, Trish loves to be outdoors! In her spare time, she likes to hike, bird-watch, garden, swim, and paddleboard. She and her husband are also veterans. Trish is thrilled to be working with such wonderful children, parents, and co-workers!
Mia has been teaching at Primavera since 2011. She considers herself incredibly lucky to have taught Preschool, Kindergarten, and 2nd through 6th grades here and is currently content leading our 4th graders.
Mia received her BSED from NAU in 2012 and taught Integrated Technology to grades K-8 at Mingus Springs Charter School before landing at Primavera. Her teaching strengths lie in her varied educational and experiential backgrounds, which include visual arts, martial arts, writing, boutique and resale shop ownership, and art/nature-focused preschool and summer programs. These allow her to provide rich, creative, and exciting hands-on learning opportunities. She believes the learning environment itself is a powerful teacher.
Outside the classroom, Mia walks our beloved downtown square daily, lifts weights, gardens, reads, creates, thrifts, and plays with her granddaughters. Mia has lived in Prescott since childhood, and her mom and daughter have also taught at Primavera. She has four children, two former Penguins, three grandchildren, two current Penguins, and one great-granddaughter, a future Penguin.
Rheanna is a Mom to three Primavera Penguins! Over the past few years, she has volunteered for many field trips, and loved interacting with the students and staff. She was a substitute teacher for 5th and 6th grade last year, and has always appreciated the Primavera community.
This year, Rheanna is the new teachers aide for Primavera’s Outdoor School, and teaches a flexible course each quarter. Rheanna’s previous experience with teaching is as an English teacher while living abroad in China, as a Sunday school teacher at Church, and as a homeschool teacher.
She loves the Primavera community because she feels every child is truly able to be themselves. She hopes to be supportive to teachers and students, and to be an encouragement to others. In her free time she loves to go thrifting, and spending quality time with friends and family.
John is thrilled to have joined the Primavera Staff in 2021. After a variety of roles throughout his professional career he was fortunate enough to stumble into the field of environmental education. After spending two years teaching science at Aspen Creek Outdoor School in Prescott, he spent three years as the Director of Programs for Backcountry Unlimited, a Prescott based adventure company. He has experience in leading and creating programs for team building, leadership and a variety of outdoor adventures including Rock Climbing, Mountain Biking, Kayaking, Canyoneering and Orienteering.
Having grown up in a small town in New England, John understands how lucky he was to grow up in the outdoor world. As our world changes, too often we lose touch with nature and he would like to inspire the students at Primavera to learn to love, appreciate and protect the amazing place we all live.
The goal John has with everyone he works with is quite simple - To connect people with themselves, others and the natural world. In his free time you will most likely find him in a tent getting ready to explore some part of Arizona or Utah for a new experience.
Becca has a love for life-long learning and wants to share her experiences with her students. She grew up in Vermont with the wilderness and tight knit community. Becca moved out west and graduated from Prescott College in 2018. Becca majored in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Expeditionary Learning and a minor in Wilderness Therapy.
Becca first discovered Primavera when she came to do her student teaching alongside Mr. Dan in 2017. Primavera was the perfect fit for her to continue her education and implement creative and nature-based lessons. After her student teaching she joined the Primavera staff as a classroom teacher and has experience working in many of our grades. Becca has been leading the 4th/5th since 2020.
Becca enjoys elementary grades because she can make a difference and provide a foundation for the rest of a student‘s educational career. She teaches science, math, language arts, and social studies in thematic, relevant, current and fun ways. Her class has an opportunity to play and study in Arizona’s own backyard and cover many themes. Becca weaves in camping trips, hiking, rafting, field trips, ropes courses, etc into the curriculum. She enjoys working at Primavera and being able to focus on the child as a whole.
Ben started his teaching journey as an instructor at a science camp in California. After 14 years teaching science at camps there and here in Prescott, he took a few years off to be a stay-at-home dad to his 4 young children. He took up teaching again at Skyview school where he taught science and math at the middle school level for two years. When he heard about Primavera's Outdoor School, he realized it was the perfect blend of his experiences in outdoor and formal education.
While working at the Outdoor Education Camps, Ben designed and taught the entire curriculum. When he moved into the classroom, he loved being able to go into more depth on each topic. He loves hands-on, practical and meaningful activities. And he loves seeing a child's eyes light up when they finally Get It.
Ben is the husband of Sandra who is also a teacher. He has four kids grades 3rd through 8th, a dog who thinks he's a kid and a roommate who is actually a cat. When he's not teaching, he's hiking, kayaking or in his shop building something for somebody.
Riley joins the Primavera team this school year as a Teacher’s Aide. She recently moved to Prescott and could not be more excited to start her new adventure in such a wonderful town and at such a vibrant and amazing school.
Before her big move to Prescott, Riley worked with children as a nanny in her hometown of Saint Charles, Illinois, for more than seven years. After nannying, Riley was a Teacher’s Assistant at a private preschool in the western suburbs of Chicago for two years, working in multi-age, Junior Preschool, and Pre- K classes. She has significant experience with newborns, toddlers, and school-age children, as well as many years of hands-on experience with children and young adults with special needs. Riley is committed to making a positive impact on children's lives by guiding them and watching them grow to their fullest potential.
She can’t wait to mentor, teach and support the students in the Primavera community. When she’s not in the classroom, Riley enjoys hiking, being out in nature, reading, writing, and sipping a coffee at a local coffee shop!
Shelli feels privileged to have been a part of the Primavera family since 2019. She first began working at Primavera as a Substitute Preschool Teacher. Shelli now serves as one of our Early Childhood After School Teachers. She also leads yoga classes for the preschool students.
Prior to coming to Primavera, Shelli has a long history working with children. She has worked in the classroom environment and owned a successful yoga and fitness studio, where she worked with children of all ages.
Shelli holds numerous certifications including a specialization in children's yoga. She feels fortunate to have worked extensively with children and adults with autism and other intellectual, physical or developmental challenges.
Joanna (Joey) came to Primavera in the 2022/23 school year as the Physical Education teacher. She is currently the Physical Education teacher for TK-4th grade. She loves being on the Primavera staff.
Joanna earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Health Science and Physical Education in 2012. She has experience teaching 5-8th grade math and science and coaching junior high volleyball.
Joey has lived in Prescott since 2011 with her husband and two children. They enjoy the Prescott outdoors and being involved in youth development activities. She enjoys crafting, reading, and hiking. She is honored to teach students about their physical health, motor development, and social skills. She hopes to encourage overall health in all forms in a safe and fun environment.
Lori joined the Primavera family in 2021. She has been teaching since 2005, and absolutely loves working with children.
Lori has a Masters Degree in Human Nutrition and is constantly incorporating the science of nutrition and healthy eating into her curriculum. Lori works with our primary students teaching, Math and Nutrition in a thematic and hands-on way. Additionally, Lori provides extra support to students who benefit from individualized tutoring.
Lori feels very blessed to be able to share her love of nature, healthy food and gardening with the staff and children of Primavera.
Lauren (Ren) is excited to join the Primavera Community this year! She is the Reading Interventionist, and she hopes to help as many students as she can to read and find confidence in their literacy skills.
Ren previously worked at an elementary school in Minnesota. There, she supported students in improving their literacy skills and building a solid reading foundation. She went to college at Iowa State University, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. She also spent time as a teacher's assistant in the physiology lab during college. Ren was studying to become a Health Educator, and was taking classes to earn her certificate when she started working at a school with their literacy team. She loved the job, and helping the students grow, so she ended up staying and started taking classes for her Elementary Education Certificate instead!
Over the summer, Ren moved to Mayer from Minnesota so she could be closer to her family. After being in the Midwest for many years, she is glad to be back. She lives in a mountain community on Big Bug Mesa, so each day is a new adventure! In her free time, Ren enjoys reading, cooking, painting, and hiking with her dog.
Raven came to Primavera in 2021 as a parent, when she enrolled her daughter Julia, into the preschool program. She joined the school board in 2022 and began volunteering with the kindergarten class as well as with our primavera Girl Scout troop.
In 2022 Raven enrolled in the UofA cooperative extension, Yavapai County Master Garden Program which she completed as well as courses at Yavapai College, in plant biology and summer horticulture production.
At the start of our current school year she facilitated an after school garden club which quickly grew into a beautiful vision for a garden program at Primavera. The opportunity to expand the garden program and work with the student is a dream of Raven’s and she is excited to work along side teachers and a great garden educators network group to bring this enriching program to primavera school. A place her and her family consider a home away from home.
Pam has been teaching at Primavera since 1974. She has taught at all grade levels, and has watched Primavera grow and flourish. There have been many successful students who remember their Primavera experience with affection.
Pam received her degree in Early Childhood Education at Prescott College in the Adult Degree Program. The degree also included Spanish Poetry. She has a background in foreign languages, theatre, art appreciation, dance and exercise. Pam loves teaching languages to young children. Learning another language is linked to a better understanding of math, logic and music.
Pam and and her husband's son was one of Primavera School’s first students. As a family they are happy and proud to continue to be part of the Primavera community.
Preschool Assistant
Ms. Aubrey joined the Primavera staff in Fall 2023, after various recommendations from friends and family. She had always worked jobs with kids in the past so Primavera automatically felt like home. Ms. Aubrey currently works as a preschool aide to Ms. Sue- who she is constantly trying to learn and grow from.
Before Ms. Aubrey became an aide at Primavera she worked many different kinds of jobs. She found her love for working with children at a Sunday school; it was there she was able to start forming her skillset. From there she worked as a nanny, an ELA assistant for elementary, and an aide for middle school ceramics. All of these opportunities were more enjoyable than the last; and she can’t wait to add Primavera to the list!
Outside of school Ms. Aubrey likes to read, create mixed media paintings, thrift for vintage clothing, go on camping trips with her friends, press flowers, collect toys, listen to music really loud, crochet, watch scary movies, and sew clothes. Most of the time though, she likes to relax and enjoy the simple things like a nice cup of coffee or a sunny afternoon!
Natalia is new to Primavera School this year, but she has about 4-5 years of experience in childcare settings. She loves all of the littles at Primavera School and beyond. Currently, she is part of the Afterschool Care Program with Preschool!
Natalia graduated from Valley Vista High School (in Surprise, AZ) in 2023 and is currently studying at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a major in Forensic Psychology. Throughout high school, she worked for several families, babysitting. She continued to do so during her freshman year at ERAU. Although this is her first time in a school-setting position, she is very eager and excited to be a part of the team! She hopes to continue working for Primavera for the duration of her degree program!
Natalia is an only child and an Arizona native. She enjoys drinking coffee, thrifting, and spending time with her friends and family. She hopes this semester and the year to come will be even greater!